Life can be a workout

When not exercising, Northern student studies, holds down jobs

When not exercising, Northern student studies, holds down jobs

March 19, 2007|By Sarah Ottney

Lindsey Meester tries to work out every day. A Northern State University student who works two jobs, she usually can't make it all seven days, but she comes pretty darned close, hitting the Aberdeen Family YMCA an average five to six days a week. "I don't play sports anymore - that's kind of why I have to do this," Meester said. Meester, 21, grew up in Webster. She played volleyball and ran track and cross country in high school. Her favorite sport was volleyball. "I just love the game and had a great group of friends on the team," she said. Meester said running is her workout of choice. "That's the only way I feel like I get anything done," she said. She prefers running on the treadmill to running on the track. "I like to automatically change my pace and make myself do it," she said. Meester said a possible running goal is to run a marathon, like her father used to do - but it seems daunting. "I would like to do that, but it takes a lot of time," Meester said. Her other favorite workout is spinning, a form of exercise that involves using a stationary bicycle in a classroom setting. "You can get a great workout in just 45 minutes," she said. "The instructors are fun, and the people that go are fun, too." Meester also lifts weights and swims. When she's sore from heavier workouts, she uses the elliptical machines. Meester said she listens to all music except classical and jazz. "I've been listening to more country since moving to Aberdeen," she said. "I guess because a lot of people here listen to it." She likes to listen to music on her iPod while she works out - but for that, she needs faster songs. "I have select songs I have to listen to because they have the right tempo," she said. Wants to teach: Meester, a junior majoring in elementary education, spent one year at North Dakota State University in Fargo before transferring to Northern. When she settled on education after changing her major several times, NSU had the program she wanted to be in. She chose education after taking a class that helped students explore various careers. "The teaching atmosphere had everything I wanted," Meester said. Namely, kids. "I love kids, and by teaching, I can be with them all day," she said. Teaching would also allow her to have summers off to be with her own children someday. Meester grew up around education because her mother was a teacher, but said it took her awhile to decide to go into the field herself. "I always just kind of talked myself out of it, but then I realized it's what I wanted to do," she said. Meester said she would like to teach third grade, but she's not sure where. "I'd love to go to a large city for a while, but I want to end up in a small town to teach and raise kids," Meester said. Traveler: Meester loves to travel. Some of her favorite destinations have been Chicago, New York City, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., and Georgia. One place she still wants to see is Hawaii, for "the cultural aspects." She's also never been overseas - yet. It's one thing she hopes to do after graduation. First stop: Greece. The first time Meester visited New York City - on a trip with her mom after high school graduation - she fell in love with Broadway shows. "I saw 'The Lion King' for the first time, and I was hooked," Meester said. Other skills: Meester works two part-time jobs. As a "computer techie" at Northern, she fixes computers for students. She is one of a dozen students with tech fellowships, a program intended to provide select undergraduate students with the opportunity to develop skills in technology. Meester said she didn't know much about computers two years ago - but she does now. "I just kind of picked it up when I got the job," Meester admits. "I still have to ask a lot of questions, but if I see it once, I can usually remember it. I really find tearing them apart and learning about them is fun." Meester said the techies work under computer professionals, and their job is to take care of the simpler issues that come in. "We free up some of their time to work on serious issues," Meester said. "They're really great at teaching." Meester also works at the Red Tap Pub at the AmericInn in Aberdeen. She started working there about seven months ago. "I really enjoy that job," Meester said. "It's a small, clean, cute bar. Lots of fun people come in." Family, fun: When she's not working or working out, Meester said she loves to shop and be outside in the summer, especially at the lake jet skiing and lying out in the sun. Meester's parents are Ron and Marleen Meester of Webster. She has one younger brother, Michael, 18, a freshman at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Meester said the best advice she ever received was from her mom, who told her not to worry so much. "I tend to worry and stress out," Meester said. "The best advice is that is all works itself out eventually."